False Voices, Idols, and Worthless Vines: God’s Warning to a Rebellious People
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 4
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 247 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ezekiel. In these chapters, God confronts the false prophets and deceptive leaders who misled His people, as well as the idols that captured their hearts. Through Ezekiel, the Lord exposes the emptiness of false visions and the consequences of trusting in lies instead of His word. He makes it clear that even if the most righteous men of old—Noah, Daniel, and Job—were present, they could only save themselves, not the sinful nation. Finally, God compares Jerusalem to a useless vine, good only for burning, symbolizing its judgment for failing to fulfill its purpose. Together, these chapters highlight God’s truth, justice, and the seriousness of turning away from Him.
Ezekiel 13
Ezekiel 13 exposes the false prophets who prophesied lies out of their own imagination instead of speaking God’s word. They are described as builders of a weak wall coated with whitewash, which may look secure but will collapse under judgment. These prophets gave the people false comfort and assurance, telling them peace was coming when destruction was imminent. God declares that He is against such prophets, removing their influence and blotting them out from His people. The chapter also denounces women who practiced sorcery, deceiving others with charms and lies, trapping souls for profit. This chapter underscores that God holds accountable anyone who manipulates His word or misleads others spiritually.
Ezekiel 14
In Ezekiel 14, elders come to seek the Lord, but God exposes the idols in their hearts that prevent true worship. He warns that He will answer them according to the multitude of their idols, revealing His refusal to be mocked or treated lightly. God calls His people to repent and turn away from their detestable practices. He emphasizes personal responsibility for sin, declaring that even Noah, Daniel, and Job—famous for their righteousness—could only save themselves and not the land. The chapter warns that persistent idolatry will bring famine, wild beasts, sword, and plague upon the land. Yet God promises that a remnant will survive, and their faithfulness will confirm His justice and vindicate His judgments.
Ezekiel 15
Ezekiel 15 presents a parable comparing Jerusalem to a vine. Unlike other wood that can be used to build useful things, vine wood has little value except to be burned. If it cannot serve a useful purpose, then once burned it is even more worthless. In the same way, Jerusalem had failed to fulfill its calling to bear fruit for God and was now only fit for judgment by fire. God declares that He will set His face against the city, and though some may escape, the land will still be laid waste because of their unfaithfulness. This chapter teaches that God’s people are called to be fruitful, and when they reject Him, they forfeit their purpose and face destruction.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew name Yehezqel, which means “God strengthens” or “God is my strength.” This meaning is significant in the context of the book because Ezekiel is called by God to strengthen the faith of Israel and uphold God’s authority in the midst of the nation’s exile and rebellion.
Purpose of the Book:
The book of Ezekiel was written primarily to warn, convict, and comfort the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon (c. 593–571 BC). Its purposes include:
Warning of Judgment: To declare God’s judgment on Israel for their idolatry, rebellion, and unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 5:5–17).
Encouraging Repentance: To call the people to repentance and restore hope for the remnant who return to God (Ezekiel 18:30–32).
Revealing God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Through vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophetic messages, the book emphasizes that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel (Ezekiel 1:26–28; 36:22–23).
Promising Restoration: Ezekiel concludes with promises of renewal for Israel, including the vision of the valley of dry bones and the restored temple, symbolizing spiritual revival and national restoration (Ezekiel 37:1–28; 40–48).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Evidence for his authorship includes:
Biblical References:
Ezekiel repeatedly identifies himself in the text as the recipient of God’s visions and messages (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:1, 3:4).
The Book of 2 Kings 24–25 provides historical context about the Babylonian exile, confirming the timeframe of Ezekiel’s ministry.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 10, Chapter 10) references Ezekiel as a prophet active during the Babylonian exile, confirming the traditional attribution.
The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Megillah 14b) also recognizes Ezekiel as the author of the prophetic book that bears his name.
Internal Evidence: The first-person accounts, vivid visions, and symbolic actions consistently present throughout the book strongly suggest a single author with intimate knowledge of priestly practices and the Babylonian exile experience.
Key People:
Ezekiel – The prophet and main figure, called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
God (YHWH) – Central figure of the book, revealed in powerful visions and messages.
King Jehoiachin – King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile, mentioned in Ezekiel 1:2 and 24:1–2.
Other Israelites – The people of Israel, often depicted as rebellious and in need of correction (Ezekiel 2:3–5; 18:2–3).
Foreign Nations – Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who are often referenced in prophecies of judgment (Ezekiel 25–32).
Conclusion
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God’s enduring presence. Despite Israel’s rebellion and judgment, God promises to gather His people, cleanse them from sin, and restore them to their land. The final chapters (Ezekiel 40–48) present a vision of a renewed temple and a reestablished covenant community, symbolizing spiritual revival and the assurance that God remains faithful to His promises. The overarching theme is that God is holy, sovereign, and faithful, and He works through judgment and restoration to fulfill His purposes for His people.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Ezekiel 13
In Ezekiel 13, God reveals His character as a God of truth and justice who despises lies and deception. He exposes the false prophets who gave the people false assurance and comfort instead of faithfully declaring His word. God shows that He cares deeply for His people’s spiritual well-being and will not allow them to be led astray without consequence. The lesson is that God’s word is the only sure foundation, and He calls us to discern truth from lies by holding everything up to His standard.
While no specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, His nature as El Emet (God of Truth) is clearly displayed as He tears down the false visions and whitewashed lies. God shows that He is against those who exploit His name for personal gain and promises to remove their influence. The lesson here is that we must cling to God’s truth, reject false assurances, and remain faithful to His word, no matter how unpopular it may seem.
Ezekiel 14
In Ezekiel 14, God reveals His holiness and His unwillingness to compete with idols in the hearts of His people. He makes it clear that He knows what resides within and will answer people according to their own idolatry, holding them accountable for their sins. At the same time, He demonstrates mercy by calling them to repent and return to Him. The lesson is that God demands wholehearted devotion and will not share His glory with anything else that captures our worship.
Though no direct Hebrew names are recorded in this chapter, God’s nature reflects El Elyon (God Most High), showing His supreme authority over idols and nations. He also displays Himself as Jehovah Mekaddishkem (The Lord who sanctifies) by desiring to cleanse His people from their false worship. The lesson is that only God can purify and restore us, and true repentance requires surrendering idols and giving Him full reign over our lives.
Ezekiel 15
In Ezekiel 15, God reveals His character as the righteous Judge who expects His people to live fruitful lives. By comparing Jerusalem to a useless vine fit only for burning, He shows that His people had failed their purpose and were facing judgment. This imagery reflects His holiness and the seriousness of failing to live out the calling He placed upon them. The lesson is that God desires fruitfulness and obedience from His people, and without Him, we can do nothing of eternal value.
No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned in this chapter, but His nature is consistent with Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord our Righteousness), the One who sets the standard for His people’s purpose and fruitfulness. God teaches that His people must abide in Him to fulfill their calling, otherwise they face the consequences of spiritual barrenness. The lesson is that we must remain connected to God in obedience and faithfulness if we are to live out our true purpose.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does Ezekiel 13 show us that God values truth and will expose deception?
What does God’s opposition to false prophets reveal about His justice and protection of His people?
In Ezekiel 14, how does God demonstrate His holiness in dealing with idols in people’s hearts?
How does God’s willingness to call His people to repentance in Ezekiel 14 reflect His mercy?
What does the parable of the vine in Ezekiel 15 reveal about God’s expectation for His people to be fruitful?
How do these chapters collectively show that God cannot be mocked and always acts in line with His character?
What do these passages reveal about God’s balance of judgment and restoration in dealing with His people?
Questions About Themes:
What is the significance of the false prophets being compared to those who build a weak wall covered with whitewash in Ezekiel 13?
How does the theme of accountability for spiritual leadership emerge in Ezekiel 13 and 14?
In Ezekiel 14, why does God say that even Noah, Daniel, and Job could only save themselves and not the nation?
What does Ezekiel 14 teach us about the danger of harboring idols in our hearts while outwardly seeking God?
How does the parable of the vine in Ezekiel 15 emphasize the theme of fruitfulness versus barrenness?
What role do repentance and obedience play in these chapters as central themes of God’s message to His people?
How do these chapters highlight the futility of trusting in false assurances rather than God’s word?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways do you see false assurances or “whitewashed walls” in our culture today, and how can you guard against them?
How can you test what you hear—whether from leaders, teachers, or influencers—against the truth of God’s Word?
What idols might compete with God’s place in your heart, and how can you actively turn from them in repentance?
How does Ezekiel 14 challenge you to take personal responsibility for your faith rather than relying on others’ righteousness?
Where do you see the risk of fruitlessness in your spiritual life, and what steps can you take to remain connected to God?
How do these chapters encourage you to live with greater integrity and alignment between your outward actions and inward heart?
What practical ways can you pursue faithfulness so that your life bears the kind of fruit God desires?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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